Minn. flood risk increases to normal

Recent snowfall has increased the risk of flooding to normal on parts of the Upper Minnesota and Mississippi River basins.

The National Weather Service says February's snowfall has changed the previous forecast of a below normal risk of flooding.

Areas with a normal risk of flooding include Montevideo, Granite Falls, Long Prairie and St. Cloud.

In addition, parts of southern and eastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin are at risk for flooding due to so-called "concrete frost." That's when ice in the soil isn't able to thaw, and melted snow or rain rapidly run off.

Even though severe drought continues in the region, the weather service says precipitation from December through the end of February has been near normal to even above normal in some areas.

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